The Rocky Run Middle School in Chantilly received the prestigious Governor’s award for educational excellence, one of 36 Fairfax County schools to garner achievement honors, Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) announced Wednesday.

“We are blessed to have some of the finest schools and teachers in the nation,” McDonnell said in a statement. “We must continue to ensure that all students have access to the high quality education they deserve.”

The Virginia index of performance awards are given to schools that meet state and federal benchmarks for achievement for at least two consecutive years, including enrollment in Algebra I by eighth grade high school graduation rates.

Rocky Run Middle was one of two schools in the state to receive the highest award. In addition, a total of 18 Fairfax schools received the 2013 board of education excellence award and another 17 won the board’s distinguished achievement award.

In neighboring Arlington County, six schools received the excellence award. Two schools each in Loudoun and Prince William counties won the same.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.